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WOW, that really made me sad.

Actually sad isn't the appropriate word. OLD is.

I went out on a pre-listing appointment. I had not met this family prior to my appointment. This was a referral from a friend of mine.

I pulled up in front of a really "cute" house. It was a small home, lovingly cared for.

It was obvious that the owners really took pride in their home. The front deck had chairs and a table on it, ready for someone to relax in. The flowers were bright, pretty and full. (It is a bit of drought here right now, many flowers and lawns are drooping).

The American Flag flew proudly. Recently a new driveway was put in..... It looked like a "typical" small American home, well manicured.

I knock at the front door and it is answered. I see a young lady and I am not sure if this is the owner or the daughter.... I ask if this is Sandy? Yes, come on in she says. Sitting on the couch is 2 little guys watching cartoons. I ask "What are they watching", and she smiles and says "such and such", the kids love them and it keeps them quiet. I tell her I'm not familiar with that cartoon.

Here's what she said " OH, you are probably done with raising yours (kids)....."

BAM! I'm old, I must have grown kids......that hurt!!

So, just when did the last 20 years disappear on me. And just when did I start to look "old". I wasn't thinking fast enough to say my kid is 5..... (even if it's my kid "Simba", the golden retriever....)

My father used to tell me that each year went by quicker and quicker.... He was, as usual, RIGHT!

Happy Summer all!

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You can find great local Milwaukee Wisconsin area real estateinformation on Localism.com April Hayden-Munson Realtor, Southeastern Wisconsin is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free online community to help real estate professionals grow their business. Serving Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington counties and the surrounding area.

Posted by April Hayden-Munson Realtor, Southeastern Wisconsin on 07/18/2009 06:00 PM

Comments (32)

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april haydenmunson, musings, golden retriever, selling a home, buying a home, brookfield wisconsin real estate

Originally posted at: April Hayden-Munson's Blog: WOW, that really made me sad.

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32 Comments on WOW, that really made me sad.

JUL

OUCH! That's a back-handed compliment if I ever heard one. Did you get the listing at least??

Enjoy it while you can.

I will get it when it's time to sell. I was helping her with what she needs to do to get ready to sell.

Lenn, YEP! Enjoy life!

April,

So sorry to hear that some people out there can be so insensitive. Proof that words can hurt.

You certainly do NOT look old in your picture. If you DO have grown kids, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief--no more listening to sibling rivalry, no more waking up in the middle of the night because of kids, no more working around their schedules. You can take yourself out to a spa and not have to rush back out to pick up Suzy at her volleyball practice, etc etc!

Ahhhhh, I feel younger already!

Thanks Teri! I am old enough to have grown kids, that only takes 18 years right! I just didn't think I looked that old. I guess if she looked too young for the 2 kids to be hers, ( I thought she looked maybe 18) she probably thinks I look older than I am.... age.... I remember being a kid and thinking 20 would be way old! Ha ha ha.

Yes, there are some insensitive people out there. Try not to let it bother you. Move on with a smile and a laugh.

Patricia

What's that saying .,, we're not getting older, we're getting better? Fabulous at 40. Fantastic at 50. Sexy at 60. We couldn't choose a better time to age than the age we're in right now! I love every minute of my life :0)

Hi April ~ When I was a 26 year old college student I was mistaken twice for a student's parent. Give me a break! It wasn't even physically possible. It's as though people have one image imprinted on their brains and if they see someone who's just a bit outside their expectations they say something dumb.

That aside isn't it awesome how fast time flies! And I've come to realize that even in our 90s we'll feel like we're not that far from high school. I keep that in mind when I'm talking to people of any age.

Liz

Elizabeth - your comment reminded me . . . my 81 year old Mother and her sisters all get a great giggle thinking about how old they all are. They don't think they're old enough to be old yet so they call themselves teenage seniors! My Mother really has to stop and think when asked her age. Not because she's senile but because she says she doesn't know where the last 30 years disappeared to. She may be in her 80's but she feels 50 inside!

April...

Well there's goon news and bad news and I'll give you the bad news first:

I guess we're not getting any younger.

The good news is that this post is featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"

April...I have been getting the word.."SIR" an awful lot over the last few years.

JUL

Definitely an OUCH! comment. Oh well sometimes people just don't realize how insensitive they are. Chin up, I think you look terrific!

Patricia, I am sure she had no idea what she had said!

Susan - you are so RIGHT!! I will have to remember these... :)

You're beautiful and she probably didn't mean anything by the comment. Yes sometimes people are insensitive and sometimes busy, stressed mothers think that if you aren't up on the current cartoons/lingo then your kids have passed that age.

April - That is an impolite comment, to say the least. This is one reason that I NEVER ask when a woman is expecting her baby, unless I am positive that she's pregnant. :)

Sometimes you just have to know when to kick a potential client. I'm sure she had no malicious intent with the comment, but I can see where you're coming from.

Oh wow! I am finding that as I sell real estate to younger people, I'm realizing they are even 15-20 years older than me. Where's that wrinkle cream? :-)

OUCH is right! I'd be mortified. I know that right now, I'm on the line, and about to go over the edge =( I'm 41, but my entire life, everyone has thought I was much younger than my real age. But I look in the mirror, and in just the last 2 years, many things have changed.... I think I may need some anti-depressants O_O Thank God for my beautiful 19 year old daughter, entering her sophomore year of bible college, and the fact that she is such a well-mannered, well-behaved child. It's going to take some work to shift my focus to what a beautiful young lady I've raised, instead of worrying about looking old =(

JUL

That is hard and must have hurt. Consider the source and forget it.

Ginger

JUL

April, don't worry about it. It's not age....it's Wisdom! I like thinking about like that :)!!

April - I just had a very similar experience. I sold a home to the son of an old High school buddy! Wow! I know how old my kids are ... it's a rude awakening when our old friend have kids that old too!

JUL

The people are losing their moral while becoming modern. The society needs to be attentive that moral values. Well things needs to be modernized but keeping intact with moral values.

---------------

philip

wow gold

4 REASONS THE SELLER MAY HAVE SAID WHAT SHE DID

The young woman may have a very young mother or young looking relatives.
Your professional look may have triggered her mind to "mature".
When people say stupid things, just remember they are doing the best they can, with what they have to work with.
She was probably SO exhausted from cleaning,trying to make a good impression on you, and getting those children programed to sit quietly while you were there, she couldn't think straight.

Does this help?

AUG

Kim - yes, you are right. Since I had no idea who was in the cartoon it was obvious I wasn't putting it on my TV at home.....

Liz - WOW at 26 how could someone think you were a Mom of a grown kid.....

Susan - I love your second comment. It must be amazing what those who are 80 have seen in their lifetime.... TV from Radio, Air Conditioning, Internet, The highway system.... alot in so little time.

Richard, Thanks for the feature. I have to start thinking, we're not older - we are just getting BETTER!

Bill, I know I hate Ma'am. I still remember the first time a young boy said to me "Ma'am can I open the door for you?" --- I was carrying groceries into my apartment - and I was all of 20 or 21. I was crushed! ha ha.

Thanks Debra, I know she didn't mean to say something that bothered me - it's just one of those ick moments.

Jason - Yeah, the baby comment. Good one to stay away from . The styles today don't help that one either with the tops that could be maternity or just in fashion!

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